how i SHINE pt. 3

Meet Christina! Gosh, that smile will light up any heart! I’ve known Christina for a little over a year and a half, but it feels like I’ve always had her in my life. That’s how she makes others feel- at home I’ve had the privilege of sitting with her on our hotel balcony watching airplanes fly into the Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson International airport & hearing her journey thus far. She’s walked through some rough places & now she’s been graced with so much compassion for other people. Her dreams are big & I’m excited to see how God uses her in the grand scheme! Love her heart so much!

Hey, want a quick SHINE tip? Talk to God! After Moses had a personal encounter with God, “he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord” (Exodus 34:29) Moses was inscribing a new tablet for the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai. But, he was also there to know the ways of the Lord. When we know God’s heart, we are more able to accurately reflect & share His heart with others. Talking to Him – listening & responding – is a simple way for us to SHINE! + MC Hammer had it right when he rapped “we got to pray just to make it today!”

how i SHINE pt. 2

I hope these beautiful girls brighten up your day!

Nesley! Oh, Nes! Such a shy, quiet beauty this one. But, I know she’s secretly a fire-cracker inside! Ask her brothers or any of her close friends, they’ll tell you- Nesley has a crazy side! Nesley allows that exotic Indian beauty to shine through her relationships with others. When we discussed how she shines God’s love, I thought it was spot on: speaking value to others. She has dreams of becoming a counselor one day and helping girls/women overcome addiction or life-controlling issues. She will definitely SHINE in that role! Anyone who encounters Nes walks away feeling better about themselves and the world.

Romona is just one of those people who is so sweet. When you meet her, you just wonder if she’s made of sugar. She always brightens the room when she walks into our Bible study meeting. Uplifting in her speech & positive in her outlook on life, these Romona attributes are very contagious! She’s the type of girl that you want a hug from when you’re having a rough day. I love her gentleness and patience in how she communicates the love of the Father to other people!

When Sep told me that her Shine moment would have to do with her love of dancing, I just knew that it was the perfect fit! I actually met Sep a few years back at a youth event called “House Party”. We had invited the dance company she was apart of to do some performing at the event. That night, however, produced a lot more than a good show! There were many young people who responded to the call of following Jesus whole-heartedly. One of those young people was Sep! I was able to connect with her that night & have been thrilled to be apart of her life since. She’s got a smile that will knock you down it’s so gorgeous! Loyalty, beauty, independence, strength: just some of the adjectives that come to mind when looking at the way Sep lives her life towards God and others!

“the ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live the brighter they shine.” Proverbs 4:18 MSG

this is how i SHINE His Love!

I haven’t been inspired with a personal photo project in QUITE some time. But, over a year or so ago I really got obsessed with the theme of light. Not only because I’m a photographer who needs good light for photos, but really discovering what it means to live in the light of God’s love. The Bible is full of scriptures on light! Since going to Hillsong Colour conference in May I was able to really decipher & be inspired through a teaching developed by Hillsong called “Shine”. Since then, I’ve been trying to discover what it means to radiate & shine the love of God in my life toward others.

A few weeks ago it hit me! Starting with my small group of college girls, we would discuss their giftings, talents, & the way they feel they best show God’s love to others in their everyday lives. Nothing outrageous, just simple acts of shining God’s love into people we encounter day to day: connecting us each back to the purpose the Lord has for us individually!

Hope you enjoy as you meet each one of us & discover how you personally SHINE God’s love to the world!

Jinny can come off quiet, but over the last few years she really allowed God to open her heart with a passion to see Jesus’ name spread to the world! She’s what I like to call a “bringer”- I’ve seen her bring, influence, and connect her friends to what God is doing. She loves music and has just left Augusta to study at Church of the Highlands college of leadership-ministry.

Anyone who knows Abi knows she is a wild child! She is electric in personality, deeply caring for others around her, madly in love with Jesus. Her SHINE moment definitely describes how she reaches her world– through her creativity (a wide range at that! writing, music, drawing, etc) & offering a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and a non-judgmental front to anyone

How about me? Over the last few years, I’ve been trying to define the purpose God has for my life. It’s a tough thing being as indecisive as I am! But something I heard Jon Acuff recently say struck me- “Instead of asking, what am I going to do with my life? Ask, what have I done that I’ve already loved?” For me, this has always been about being around the poor. I love sharing Jesus’ love with people who feel as though the world is hopeless. Whether it’s in the poverty of other nations, in the alley ways of a large US city, or right here in my backyard- I love finding resources for those in need: spiritually & physically.

** for all you iPhone users, the layout of the photos was inspired by my obsession with instagram

“…you’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.” Matthew 5:14 message translation 

LA DreamCenter

Our trip to the LA DreamCenter was just so undeniably a God thing! Starting this post I already know that my words aren’t going to do justice to what I experienced, but I’m giving it a go anyway. I tend to have a bad short term memory, but I want every part of this adventure to linger in my heart. The DreamCenter spirit is sown into my soul now: the genuine heart for people, the excitement for life and serving, the humble, but bold attitudes, an outlook of giving without measure. I tried to soak up all of these aspects as I encountered each part of their outreaches. I learned these qualities more than I learned a program or model of ministry.

In case you don’t know the story, I actually won this trip through Air1 radio and Tyndale House Publishers! I know people say this line all the time, but I’ve really never won anything like this in my life! I entered the radio contest back in February where I had to write what my “cause” was all about. This contest was in alignment with Pastor Matthew Barnett’s new book release- The Cause Within You (amazing book, by the way! I had actually pre-ordered in December last year!) Once I entered, I listened every day to hear the inspirational stories from other people across the nation. Honestly, I thought I. have. no. chance. Not compared to all those other entries! That’s why I’m saying, this trip was definitely God!

Finally, the time for the trip came–July 20-25. On our first morning there, we met with our host, Julie. She totally rocked the trip for us! Anything that we wanted to do beyond what she had planned for us, she made it happen! Definitely felt like part of the family with her. Each day, we were able to take part in everything that the DC did weekly….

Under the Bridge-Skid row- we gave away almost 400 meals to people living on the streets

Thursday night service at Angelus temple- what an amazing place this church is! I mean the atmosphere is electric! I love how the whole congregation (man, woman, youth) are all focused on one thing: serving the people of LA through the DreamCenter! I loved hearing Pastor Matthew’s heart & excitement for Jesus- it was contagious! Michael Franzece gave an encouraging word! He is a great story-teller!

Food truck- helped load several different trucks with groceries to be taken out into different neighborhoods

Project Prevention- my favorite outreach! This ministry helps keep children in their homes whose parents are at risk to losing them through Dept. of Family & Children services. The DreamCenter believes that no child should be taken from loving parents due to extreme poverty. We were able to go out on the Proj Prevention truck and bring necessary items/food to families in the program. So so amazing, and I am believing that we will begin a similar outreach in Augusta!

Jonah Project/Skid Row- handed out items to the homeless on Skid row. This time though it was very hard for me. I was able to actually take in the horrible way in which these street people are living. I walked away feeling very helpless, and I’ve never seen this type of extreme poverty in one place in the USA. I pray God continues to multiply the efforts of those going out on Skid Row so that life can be breathed into God’s children down there!

Finally, Adopt-a-Block- oh, I just loved doing this! DreamCenter teams go out into Los Angeles neighborhoods every Saturday morning with God’s love, a helping hand, and food. What was so awesome here is that when we arrived the neighborhood was throwing a surprise birthday party for one of the girls on the Adopt-a-Block team! This is proof of the impact that is being made there!

So, to wrap up- I’m still thinking about the experience we had at the DreamCenter everyday. In the Fall of last year, I read a church sign that said “Belonging comes before believing”, and I resolved right then and there to help make everyone I come in contact with feel that way–we were made by our Heavenly Father way before we ever accepted Jesus into our hearts. As we were taking the tour, Julie randomly said that Pastor Matthew Barnett believes that everyone should feel as if “they belong before they believe” Wow! hello! And this was the exact type of love that is shown to weary hearts that come through the DreamCenter! I am changed!

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Colour Re-cap

Well, how long have I meant to do this post?! Since the moment I came home from London….almost 3 months ago! I can’t believe I’ve waited this long because this was truly a dream trip. I’ve wanted to attend Colour Conference from the first time I discovered it & the “Sisterhood” behind it. Having just gotten home from Los Angeles, I knew I couldn’t share that trip without first posting on all things C-O-L-O-U-R.

I made the journey there and back by myself (traveling abroad alone was a first for me!), but the coolest part of the trip was re-uniting with my friend Natalie who had just completed a six-week stay in India working with Vision Rescue. We both teared up as we hugged & squealed in Heathrow. From there we had quite a sketchy cab ride to our hotel near Wembley Arena. Although we were tired, we definitely wanted to get out and discover some of the city! We hit up Harrod’s, Yo! Sushi, & Natalie did her thang getting us around the Tube system. All in all, we were able to see tons of hot tourist spots before we wrapped up the trip. Many memories made

But, Colour…oh Colour!! First off, we had amazing seats! Just a few rows from the front for most of the conference. The opener was stunning! The Hillsong women definitely know how to make a girl feel so valuable- at the end of the conference every girl was given a rose as she left the building. Perfect! There are so many details to name, but hopefully the few pics that I post can show off some of the fun parts of the trip. I can’t even name a favorite speaker because they all spoke straight to my heart. Sitting in each session (the Sisterhood sessions were my fav!) I felt like I had always been apart of this movement and company of women. Partly because I immerse myself in their podcasts, sermons, and blogs, but I also think it’s because Pastor Bobbie and the team widen the capacity every year to take in the new girls on the journey of Sisterhood. I walked away with a full heart and a fire of motivation for justice and serving God’s cause.

Here is the main message God spoke to my heart while there (actually came from Pastor Bobbie’s first message):

1. Take what you already know and SHOUT it louder. Even though I would prefer a road map from the Lord about my future, I must quit the “figuring it out” and live louder what I already do know!

2. Live from a place of rest–God is setting everything right, reconciling all things to Himself, has my best interest at heart, and is working all things out for the good of those who love Him. What do I need to strive for? Striving=distraction 

3. Remember the power of “us”. We are all designed for relationship. If one person can make a huge difference in the world, imagine what a company of women can do!

The very last thing Pastor Bobbie said as the conference wrapped up was “just go home & flourish” For some reason, that just meant the world to me & I’ve really wanted to live life flourishing. I totally believe that the message from this conference is something that I’ve need to get in my spirit for awhile now & is ironically what God seems to continue speaking to me this year. Leaning in…

Be a Lioness…

As you might know, I’m very drawn to Africa and dream to go there almost every day. So, naturally when I saw the title for Lisa Bevere’s new book Lioness Arising, I was immediately attracted. Then I read the subtitle: Wake Up and Change  Your World. YES! It all resonates within me. But, then I had a little glass half-empty moment and thought, “I already know I want to change the world; I’ve read way too many books on how to do that, so how’s this going to add anything new?” Yep, I was in for a bombshell. I read all the time, but there are those special books that help define things in your life. Barely into the book at all, I read the dedication, and I knew it would be one of those life-altering messages! Just that simple excerpt spoke to everything inside of me! The message is all about women rising into the God-mandate over our lives. She constantly compares God’s daughters to lionesses who are at rest in their power, submitted to their King, strategic/skilled in conquering the enemy, flow in their prowess, and work together with other lionesses as a collective force of good. My little summary doesn’t even give the book justice though! Sorry for getting all psychological on you, but this message spoke to the “9 year old Haley” -the one who was truly wild, free, and adventurous before the sting of life appeared with it’s handbag of insecurities.

Back in April, a few of us girls went and saw Disney’s African Cats to commemorate our love for Lioness Arising. It was a pretty good movie, and, of course, I’m watching it through the lens of Lisa’s book message. The movie follows the story of a lion cub named Mara, her experienced mother Layla, Mara’s Lioness Aunts/cousins, Fang- the proud leader of the River Pride, Kali- leads a group of lions north of the River, and Sita- an adult cheetah with her baby cubs. I watched the inner struggle with Mara wanting to care and stay with her injured mother Layla, but yet wanting to be safe within the group of Lionesses. I saw as Fang shamed the entire pride by abandoning his family to Kali. And the fight that ensued between Sita and Kali’s sons over her cheetah cubs. Here was my take away from the movie: Don’t be a cheetah; be a Lioness! The Lionesses accomplished way more together than Sita could do on her own. It was interesting because even though Sita possessed strength and beauty individually, she ended up losing some of her cubs as a direct result of being a solo fighter. As women, when we drop our insecurities/fears/differences and come together as a Kingdom-minded collective force we can better nurture the next generation and take more ground over the enemy than we ever could do alone. Yes- easier said than done, I know. But, let’s engage with the Holy Spirit’s help and let’s, “see how inventive we can be in encouraging love, and helping out…” Hebrews 10:24

Meeting Lisa Bevere at Colour Conference- amazing moment! (definitely want to do a post on the conference soon!)

…and she signed the dedication of my book!

photo by photographer Nick Brandt that Lisa displayed at Colour conference to show the strength between men and women when they are fulfilling God’s destiny of working together

World Malaria Day

We have it so good here, don’t we? Thank God our country doesn’t have to fight preventable diseases like malaria. Yet, there are so many brothers and sisters in other countries that do suffer from fighting this awful disease. Unicef’s website reports that an estimated 800,000 people die every year from malaria. 90% of these deaths occur in a country that is so close to my heart–Africa.

We are so so blessed here, but when we become educated about an evil to the human race, we can’t stand back and act as though it won’t affect us. Brooke Fraser sings in her song Albertine, “now that I have seen, I am responsible”. I love that. Watching a video from the Clinton Global Initiative, I heard Mark Arnoldy say, “Responsibility is being able to respond”. I am so grateful that I can be on the giving side of the pandemic.

Because malaria is a mosquito borne illness, people in 3rd world countries need to sleep under treated netting to prevent the spread. BeadForLife has been tweeting all day about how their partners (women who make awesome beaded jewelry!) are able to trade beads and shea nuts for netting. By purchasing their beads, jewelry, or hosting a party, we can be the change to these women and their families. Jewelry saving lives? Yes, please!

image credit: Charles Steinberg